Chicago Tribune photo by Monica Eng
Grand Lux Cafe, 600 N. Michigan Ave; $10.95
This wild mushroom burger-made of finely chopped portobello, shiitake, cremini and button mushrooms blended with garlic, cheese and thyme then topped with basil aioli-knocked our collective sneakers off. Tasters called it “amazing,” and said “this is like pure duxelles” (the mushroom stuffing used to make beef Wellington). Meat eaters will be so busy oohing and ahhing they will forget this has no meat.
Condiments and sides: Fresh leaf lettuce, tomato, and red onion. Excellent fries.
Texture: Falls apart the way you’d expect chopped mushrooms to. 
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With the recommendations from fellow foodies I went on the hunt for the best veggie burger in the area. After downing a baker’s dozen, I narrowed the field to my top four faves: Grand Lux Cafe, The Counter, Ed Debevic’s in Chicago, and Michael’s Chicago Style Red Hots in Highland Park.- Monica Eng
For more information on other foods and restaurants visit the Stew at ChicagoTribune.com
